Liver Cancer

A cancer diagnosis is always life-changing, and liver cancer is no different. The good news is that you have the depth and breadth of INTEGRIS behind you every step of the way.

Let’s fight it together.

Liver Cancer Basics

A cancer diagnosis is always life-changing, and liver cancer is no different. The good news is that you have the depth and breadth of INTEGRIS and the INTEGRIS Cancer Institute behind you, with the region’s foremost collection of therapies, physicians and specialists.

We’re here for you every step of the way, from the first diagnosis and staging to treatment and even beyond – with rehabilitation designed specifically for cancer survivors. We know this can be a challenging time, so please ask your physician about any concerns or questions you might have.

If your doctor thinks you might have liver cancer, exams and tests will be required to reach an accurate diagnosis. This begins with your physician asking questions about your health history, symptoms, risk factors and family history of disease, and may continue with more in-depth tests:

Ultrasound: This is often the first test done if cancer is suspected. An ultrasound uses sound waves to look for abnormalities in the liver. It is very helpful in seeing whether a liver tumor is a fluid-filled sac that’s likely not cancer (cyst) or a solid mass that’s more likely to be cancer.

Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Blood Test: Elevated AFP levels can be a sign of liver cancer or other conditions, so this test alone can't be used to diagnose liver cancer.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs): These tests can show liver irritation and inflammation. If they show that your liver has been damaged, your physician may do other tests to see if you have cancer.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): This test creates detailed images of the liver and nearby organs. MRIs can show more detail than other imaging tests.

Computed Tomography (CT scan): A CT scan uses X-rays taken from many angles. This creates very detailed cross-section pictures of the liver and nearby organs.

Liver Biopsy: If an imaging test shows something in your liver that looks like it might be cancer, your healthcare provider may take small samples of liver tissue, called a biopsy. This may be done with a needle biopsy, laparascopic biopsy or surgical biopsy. A doctor who specializes in looking at cells, called a pathologist, looks at the samples under a microscope to tell whether cancer is there.

Needle Biopsy: For this test, a thin, hollow needle is put through your skin into the liver tumor to get a sample of it.

Laparoscopic Biopsy: Small cuts are made in your abdomen. The surgeon or physician will put long surgical tools (including one with a tiny video camera on the end) into them. Then he or she looks at the surface of your liver and nearby organs. If your physician sees small pieces of tumors, he or she will remove them.

Several types of treatment can be used for liver cancer. Which may work best for you? It depends on a number of factors. These include the type, size, location, and stage of your cancer. Other important factors include your age and overall health, how well the rest of your liver is working and what side effects you find acceptable. Your doctor can answer any questions or concerns you have.

Surgery: Surgery offers the best chance to cure liver cancer. Unfortunately, only a small percentage of people can have surgery. If the cancer is small and in only one part of the liver (and the rest of the liver is healthy enough), the part of the liver with the cancer can be removed. This surgery is called a hepatectomy. Another option might be to remove the entire liver and replace it with a liver transplant.

Tumor Ablation and Embolization: These techniques can be used to treat some tumors in the liver. Ablation involves using heat, cold or other methods to destroy tumors rather than removing them. Sometimes this is combined with radiation (radioembolization) or chemotherapy (chemoembolization).

Radiation: Radiation uses high-energy X-rays to kill cancer cells. It’s used mainly when surgery or other treatments aren't good options.

Targeted Therapy: This type of treatment uses medicines that target proteins or cell functions that help cancer cells grow. It’s used mainly for advanced liver cancers that can't be treated with other methods.

Chemotherapy: The goal of chemotherapy is to stop cancer from growing or spreading. It does this by using medicines to kill the cells or stop them from dividing. Chemotherapy can be used to treat advanced liver cancer. In most cases it isn’t as helpful as targeted therapy.

Supportive Care: Your doctor may suggest treatments that help ease your symptoms, but don’t treat the cancer. These can sometimes be used along with other treatments. Or your healthcare provider may suggest supportive care if he or she believes that available treatments are more likely to do you more harm than good.

Immunotherapy: Researchers are also studying treatments that help the body's immune system fight cancer. These are called immunotherapy techniques.

Clinical Trials for New Treatments: Researchers use clinical trials to find new ways to treat liver cancer. Talk with your doctor to find out if there are any clinical trials you should consider.

The Multidisciplinary Cancer Clinic: The INTEGRIS Cancer Institute’s Multidisciplinary Gastrointestinal clinic brings together medical oncologists, gastroenterologists, radiation oncologists and radiologists as a team to provide specific services to the patient with the aim of ensuring that the patient receives optimum care and support.

At INTEGRIS, we offer a wide variety of support programs and services along with the Troy and Dollie Smith Wellness Center to help patients with breast cancer and their loved ones manage the physical and emotional effects of a cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Support services for liver cancer include:

Mind, body therapies including acupuncture, massage, and yoga

Research and clinical trials

Nutrition consultations

Pastoral care, spiritual support and relaxation techniques

Resource Room

Clinical social work services

Counseling

Patient navigation and survivor care planning

Multi-disciplinary clinic coordination

Cancer screenings

Patient and family support groups

Integrative Medicine Clinic

Available Near You

We strive to provide you with care that’s not only the best available, but care that’s convenient and as close to home as possible. These INTEGRIS locations near you are ready to help.

Spotlight

It always helps to be able to see something for yourself, and nothing can paint a picture quite as well as video. That's why we make it a point to highlight the many specialists, services and lifesaving care INTEGRIS brings you.

3:24

Who Is a Liver Transplant Candidate?

Dr. John Duffy explains when and why a patient may need a liver transplant.